How to say congratulations in Dutch to your brother.
Not a dictionary line: the phrases Dutch speakers use for your brother, what each means, and 5 complete messages by a native speaker — each one a tap away from a card in Dutch.
“Gefeliciteerd!” (“Congratulations!”) is the line, and for your brother “Van harte!” (“Heartfelt (congratulations)!”) adds warmth. Below: 5 full congratulations messages for your brother, written by a Dutch speaker.
Gefeliciteerd, bro! Ik zeg het niet vaak, dus lees deze zin twee keer: ik ben echt trots op je.
Congratulations messages in Dutch for your brother
Je broer feliciteren gaat het best op z'n broers: droog, direct, en met de trots er quasi-achteloos in verstopt. Hij leest hem er echt wel uit.
Gefeliciteerd, bro! Ik zeg het niet vaak, dus lees deze zin twee keer: ik ben echt trots op je.
Zo, die is binnen! Van harte, broertje — dit heb je gewoon keihard verdiend.
Gefeliciteerd, man. Mooi om te zien dat de rest nu ook doorheeft wat wij thuis al wisten.
Grote broer, groot nieuws — klopt helemaal. Van harte! Dit vieren we, zeg maar waar.
Gefeliciteerd, kerel. Je deed het op jouw tempo en op jouw manier — en kijk waar je nu staat.
The Dutch phrases, and when each one fits
Dutch has an informal 'je/jij' and a formal 'u'. Family, friends and almost every colleague get 'je'; keep 'u' for a client you have never met or someone much older who uses it with you first.
- Gefeliciteerd! — “Congratulations!”. Universal — new job, exam, baby, anything.
- Van harte! — “Heartfelt (congratulations)!”. Even shorter; Dutch speakers drop the rest.
- Wat goed van je! — “Well done, that's great of you!”. For an achievement — exam, promotion, a finished project.
- Dik verdiend! — “Well deserved!”. When they earned it. Colleagues love this one.
- Gefeliciteerd met jullie kleintje! — “Congratulations on your little one!”. A new baby — the Dutch say 'kleintje' (little one) for a newborn.
- Trots op je! — “Proud of you!”. Family — a child, a sibling, a partner.
Questions people ask
Can I write to your brother in English with a Dutch opening?
Yes — open with “Gefeliciteerd!”, write what you want to say in English, and sign off in Dutch: Liefs, or Veel liefs,. For your brother the effort lands harder than the grammar.
Formal or informal for your brother?
Dutch has an informal 'je/jij' and a formal 'u'. Family, friends and almost every colleague get 'je'; keep 'u' for a client you have never met or someone much older who uses it with you first.
How do I sign off?
Liefs, · Veel liefs, · Dikke knuffel, · Groetjes, · Hartelijke groet, — warmest first.
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